Tri-C Launches Website For Displaced Puerto Ricans Coming Here

CLEVELAND, OH -- Cuyahoga Community College has launched a website supporting Bienvenidos a Cleveland, a collaboration project designed to assist Puerto Rican families relocating to Cleveland following the devastation of Hurricane Maria.

The website — tri-c.edu/bienvenidosacle — provides an online directory of agencies and organizations offering resources to arriving families. The goal is to ease their transition to Northeast Ohio.

“Cleveland is a welcoming community,” said Alex Johnson, Tri-C president. “We are coming together to provide whatever these families need to bring a sense of normalcy back to their lives.”

Since late September, hundreds of families have arrived in Cleveland from Puerto Rico and reached out for support from community-based agencies such as the Spanish American Committee, Cleveland’s oldest and largest Hispanic social service agency.

The biggest challenge has been securing housing, as many of the displaced families have little or no income. Resources also are being sought for employment, transportation, medical needs, food, household items and other needs.

Hurricane Maria ranks as one of the worst natural disasters on record, causing more than $95 billion in damage to the United States territory. An estimated 200,000 families are expected to leave the island to escape the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Bienvenidos a Cleveland began through a collaboration between Cuyahoga Community College, Esperanza Inc., the Spanish American Committee and Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

For assistance or additional information on the program, contact Bienvenidos a Cleveland through the questions tab on the website or email bienvenidosacle@tri-c.ed.

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